My Experiences with the Mahaswami

I CAME TO KNOW about the greatness of His Holiness the Parama­charya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamiji through Mr. Neel­amraju Venkata Seshayya, formerly editor Andhra Prabha and Mr. Kalluri Veerabhadra Sastri, my close relative, though I heard earlier the name of Kanchi Peetadhipati.

I have been suffering from night blindness and Retinitis Pignemposa for the last 25 years. In November 1988 one day at night I became sud­denly blind, though I was writing letters continuously for two hours before becoming totally blind. I did not tell my family members, since they would be afraid of this sudden development. After completing my moming routine. I went to the eye specialist Dr. V. Srinivas (Machilipatnam), who had been treating me for the last ten years. He was surprised to hear about my becoming blind suddenly on the previous night. He tested my eyes, prescribed some medicines and expressed his opinion that I became blind on account of my high blood pressure.

With a firm determination I thought of having Darshan of Lord Venkateswara and the Paramacharya. With the help of the Municipal Com­missioner at Tirupati, myself and my wife had the Darshan of the Lord and left for Kanchipuram on the next day.

After reaching the place in the afternoon, we went to the Math to seek the blessings of the Parama­charya. Amidst tears my wife ex­plained to him about my blindness. He asked me why I did not take treat­ment or undergo an operation for my complaint. I told him that I wanted to regain my eye sight by the grace of God and the Swamiji’s blessings. The Paramacharya asked me to look at him and find out whether I was able to see. After repeated questioning by Swamiji. I could see the glittering face of Swamiji with his shining eyes and saffron robes. Swamiji asked me and my wife to sit on the floor. After some time he presented a saree with blouse and a Dhoti to both of us with some Kumkum sprinkled on them. I in­formed Swamji that I was chanting Gayatri and Ghruni Surya Mantram which were suggested by Swamiji about 3 years . With a view to testing me he asked me to repeat the Ghurni Surya Manlram which I was reciting 108 limes daily along with Gayatri Mantram.

From there we went to Sri San­kara Vijayendra Swamji and informed him about the Darshan and the blessings we had received from the Senior Swamji. To our surprise I could not see the Junior Swamiji, though a torchlight was focussed by his attendants on his face. The Jun­ior Swamiji advised us to perform Puja in Kamakshi Devi temple and come to him next morning. At that time I informed the Junior Swamiji that the wearing of Rudrakshamala would reduce blood pressure. Then Swamiji sent one of his attendants and blessed me with the Rudraksha­mala and asked me to wear it. Next morning after performing Puja in Kamakshi Devi temple, myself and my wife went to the Junior Swamji. He blessed us with Kumkum and gave printed Slokas written by the Senior Swamji and asked my wife to read them daily.

Once an aged lady went from a long distance to have Darshan of the Paramacharya and receive his bless­ings, Teertham and Prasadam. She had the pleasure of having Darshan of Swamji and witnessing the morn­ing rituals. Swamiji stretched his hand to give Teertham to the lady but suddenly he stopped giving Teertham. He directed his attendants to ask the lady to go to her native place immediately. He also told them to give money if necessary for her journey. She could not get Teertham from Swamji in spite of her repeated re­quests. The disappointed woman went to her native place and to her surprise found that her husband died at the same time, when the Swamiji refused to give her Teertham.

During my 30 years contact with Kanchi Peetham I was very for­tunate in receiving blessings for every function in my house. I am lucky to receive clothes from the Senior Swamiji and Rudrakshamalas from Jagadguru Jayendrasaraswati Swamiji and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamiji.

“Desire is the cause of all the troubles of living beings. Though desire will not get permanently suppressed, continuous efforts should be made to suppress it. If once we get rid of this desire, by hook or crook, we will be like kings, not temporal kings with all sorts of worries ­but as kings with the royal status of eternal peace.”

Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati